Health, HIV & SRHR Advocacy

Health is at the core of WICEF’s mission because women, children, and marginalized groups cannot thrive without access to care, information, and dignity in their health choices. Ghana continues to face challenges such as stigma against persons living with HIV (PLHIV), limited access to adolescent sexual and reproductive health (SRHR) services, and harmful cultural norms that restrict open discussion on sexuality. WICEF’s Health, HIV & SRHR Advocacy program was created to bridge these gaps through tailored care, education, and advocacy.

Key components:

1. Targeted HIV Support – Since 2018, WICEF has provided direct support to over 910 persons living with HIV (PLHIV) across the Bono East and surrounding regions. This includes psychosocial counseling, stigma reduction initiatives, treatment adherence support, and community reintegration. Many PLHIV supported by WICEF have become peer advocates, showing others that life with HIV can be lived with dignity and hope.
2. Youth SRHR Programs – Adolescents and young people face disproportionate risks in accessing sexual and reproductive health services. WICEF provides safe spaces where young people learn about reproductive health, rights, and self-care. Through interactive sessions, outreach programs, and peer education, WICEF ensures that young people, especially girls, understand their bodies, can access services, and exercise informed choice.
3. Comprehensive Sexuality Education (CSE) – WICEF is a leading grassroots actor in advancing CSE in schools and communities. With donor support, including GH¢251,278 from AmplifyChange in 2024, the foundation delivered programs that challenged misinformation, improved knowledge of contraceptives, and empowered adolescents to make safe and healthy decisions. These interventions also engaged parents, teachers, and community leaders, ensuring that CSE is locally owned and culturally sensitive.

Impact so far:

• Direct HIV support has reduced stigma and improved treatment adherence among PLHIV in our partner communities.
• Over 6,000 school children have benefitted from SRHR awareness, enabling early intervention against child marriage and teen pregnancy.
• Community-wide acceptance of CSE is growing, with parents and teachers increasingly recognizing its role in protecting youth health.

Future outlook:
WICEF will expand health advocacy to integrate gender-based violence prevention, mental health awareness, and climate-health linkages. By scaling its partnerships with government health agencies and schools, WICEF aims to influence national policy while sustaining grassroots-led education and support.